Chapter 43 : Close

"Ama?" Zeya called, uncertainty lacing her voice. She noticed the exhaustion in Amaya's eyes, the flush on her cheeks, and the deep crimson of her lips, which contrasted sharply with her paleness.

"Sorry for staring. Didn't expect you to look cool after washing your face," Amaya said, a faint smile breaking through her weariness as she moved toward the tap to rinse her own face. "How are you? I heard you're sick," Zeya asked, concern flickering in her eyes like a candle in the wind. "Worse," Amaya replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she splashed water over her skin, the droplets glistening like tears. She dried her face with a handkerchief, the fabric absorbing the moisture but not the weight of her discomfort.

"Did you take the medicine?" Zeya pressed, her brow furrowing with worry. Amaya shook her head, her fingers weaving through her damp hair as she studied her reflection, the lines of fatigue etched across her features. Catching a glimpse of Zeya's sad demeanor, Amaya's expression softened, and she furrowed her brows in concern. "Can I hug you?" she asked, vulnerability creeping into her voice. Zeya snapped her head toward Amaya, her eyes wide with shock. "Eh-!?" she stammered, momentarily speechless. "Forget it," Amaya replied, licking her lips, a hint of disappointment in her tone. "Y-you can…" Zeya finally managed to say, her face turning crimson as her heart raced in her chest, the warmth spreading through her as she lowered her gaze, biting her lips in a mix of shyness and longing.

Inside the bathroom, Zeya sat on the edge of the toilet seat, her heart racing as Amaya settled onto her lap, wrapping her arms around Zeya's neck with an innocent yet intimate grip. The warmth radiating from Amaya's body enveloped Zeya, and she could feel the gentle rise and fall of Amaya's chest against her own. As Amaya nestled her head against Zeya's neck, Zeya gulped, acutely aware of the heat of Amaya's breath brushing against her skin, sending shivers down her spine.

Zeya's fingers instinctively curled around Amaya's small waist, feeling the softness of her curves beneath her touch. The bathroom, filled with the faint scent of soap and the lingering warmth of steam, felt like a cocoon, isolating them from the world outside. As Amaya's eyelids fluttered and slowly descended, Zeya's heart thumped in rhythm with the calm beats of Amaya's heart, a soothing melody that filled the air. Soon, Amaya succumbed to sleep, her breath becoming a soft whisper against Zeya's neck.

Gently, Zeya retrieved Amaya's handkerchiefs, her fingers trembling slightly as she drenched one in cool water. She placed the damp cloth on Amaya's forehead, a tender gesture that spoke of her care. A smile crept across Zeya's lips as she listened to the calming heartbeat of Amaya, feeling her own heart begin to sync with it, their rhythms intertwining in a beautiful dance. Pulling Amaya closer, Zeya snuggled against her, the warmth and intimacy wrapping around them like a cherished secret, creating a moment that felt both mesmerizing and timeless.

Ama, how are you feeling?

"Momma…" Amaya murmured, her voice a soft whisper as she slowly opened her deep ocean eyes, blinking against the dim light and finding herself nestled in someone's embrace.

*Cough—cough—*

She instinctively covered her mouth, the sound echoing in the stillness, and her small movement stirred Zeya from her slumber. "Ama, are you awake? How are you feeling now?" Zeya asked hurriedly, concerned etching lines across her face, despite the numbness creeping through her hand and leg. The first thing on her mind was Amaya's health.

Can I hug you?

The memories floated back to Amaya, stirring a mix of confusion and comfort. "I'm feeling better.." She replied to Zeya's question, feeling a peculiar warmth spread through her as she touched her forehead, surprised to find her fever had subsided. Zeya's gentle fingers brushed against Amaya's forehead, her smile radiating relief. "It's almost gone. Now go home and rest. Take the medicine. Tomorrow morning, you'll be as healthy as before."

Amaya gazed up at Zeya, her cheerful voice wrapping around her like a soft blanket, soothing rather than annoying. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling lost in the warmth of Zeya's soft, inviting eyes, which sparkled with a tenderness that made her heart flutter. "Anything for Ama," Zeya smiled.

As days slipped by like grains of sand, Amaya and Zeya found themselves enveloped in a blossoming connection, their conversations flowing effortlessly. Amaya's eyes, once cold and distant, now shimmered with a newfound softness, reflecting the warmth Zeya brought into her life. In contrast, Zeya's smile radiated brighter than ever, a beacon of joy that lit up the corners of Amaya's world.

Each morning, it was Amaya who greeted Zeya first, her voice a gentle melody that danced in the air. They shared lunches filled with laughter and whispered secrets, Amaya's hand resting comfortably on Zeya's waist or thigh, a silent promise of togetherness. In the library, their favorite corner seat, Zeya shared her thoughts while Amaya listened intently, her gaze lost in the depths of Zeya's expressive eyes, where a universe of dreams seemed to swirl.

Their nightly message, once casual, deepened into heartfelt conversations that lingered in the quiet moments of the holidays. Each message was a thread weaving them closer, their connection blossoming into something beautifully profound, a tapestry of shared dreams, laughter, and unspoken understanding that wrapped around them like a warm embrace.

"Then how about Eh-!" Amaya gasped, her body tensing as Zeya pinched her waist, a playful spark igniting between them. Zeya dashed away, her laughter trailing behind her like a sweet melody, and Amaya couldn't help but watch as Zeya stuck out her tongue in a teasing gesture.

"What happened?" Mina asked, her brow furrowed with concern. Amaya shook her head, a playful smile forming on her lips as she licked them, the taste of excitement lingering. She returned to her conversation, her voice steady, while her gaze remained fixed on Zeya, who was still playfully taunting her from the music class. Despite her focus on Zeya, Amaya expertly guided Mina through her essay, her enthusiasm shining through.

"That'll be okay. In conclusion, better mix something from bodies," she advised, and Mina nodded, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "Thank you so much. I was really scared about competing with other schools. Now this has helped me a lot." Mina bowed her head in appreciation. "I'll leave now. I have something important." Amaya waved her hand dismissively, her mind already shifting towards Zeya as she walked over, hands tucked in her pockets. Zeya raised her eyebrows, her mouth forming a perfect "O" of surprise, mischief dancing in Amaya's eyes.

"Ama, come with me!" Suddenly, Sophia jumped onto Amaya, pulling her away with unexpected force. Amaya shot a glare at Sophia, but her attention quickly shifted to Zeya, who pouted with a hint of anger, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Amaya mouthed an apologetic "sorry" to Zeya, narrowing her eyes playfully before walking with Sophia towards her classroom, a mix of emotions swirling within her.

"Then we'll leave right after we finish the exam, is that cool with everyone?" Seth asked, looking expectantly at Elli and Fred. They both nodded, their eyes darting toward the door just as Amaya and Sophia walked in, Amaya's arm casually wrapped around Sophia's shoulder. "Are we booking midnight flights?" Amaya stated flatly, sitting down in Fred's lap without much enthusiasm.

Seth shifted a bit, making room for Sophia to sit beside him. "Evening flights," he replied. Amaya glanced at him, her brow slightly furrowing as she suggested, "Wouldn't it be better to take our cars? You and Fred can drive already."

Fred playfully hit Amaya on the forehead. "We don't have our licences yet; we're planning to get them from Aqua City," he said, trying to keep the mood light. Amaya simply stared at him, her lack of response hanging in the air. "Okay," she said finally, her tone flat, before adding with a sarcastic edge, "How many seconds passed after you start to care about law and rules?"

"Then how about the midnight flight? We might take time to pack everyone's bags," Ignoring Amaya's sarcasm, Seth suggested, glancing around the room. He noticed nods of agreement from his friends, their expressions a mix of excitement and anticipation. As he fished out his phone, ready to check the flight details, Sophia swiftly snatched it from his hand and tucked it against her chest, a mischievous grin lighting up her face. "Good morning, Daniel Sir," she chirped, her smile wide and bright, as if it could dispel any tension in the air.

Amaya, sensing the shift in dynamics, stood up abruptly, pushing Fred aside with a playful shove before plopping down next to him, her movement deliberate and slightly defiant. Elli and Seth exchanged glances, their smiles softening as they turned to Daniel Sir. "Good morning, Sir," they greeted in unison, their voices warm and inviting, despite the underlying tension.

Daniel Sir narrowed his eyes suspiciously and strode toward them, his presence commanding attention. "It's illegal to look like a runaway model in the school, Daniel Sir," Amaya teased, raising her eyebrows like she was judging a fashion show, her smirk practically glowing with sass.

"Ama seems to know a lot about models," Daniel Sir replied, arching his own brows in amusement. "Weren't you the one who showed up in your papa's coat for the costume competition and claimed it was 'overtime workers look'?" The room erupted in laughter, Amaya shooting him a playful glare, her cheeks flushed with mock, while Daniel wore a mischievous grin that only fueled the humour.

"What are you laughing at!" Amaya exclaimed, shooting a mock-serious look at her friends. "Sofy came dressed in white curtains and said she was a little ghost!" Sofy, caught off guard, snapped her mouth shut, shooting a playful glare at Daniel Sir, who was clearly enjoying the banter.

"Elli won the first prize, right?" Daniel Sir asked, his tone teasing as he leaned in slightly. "Yeah, she became a witch and won the competition," Fred chimed in, high-fiving Seth as they both burst into laughter, their amusement echoing in the room.

"Now we've had enough fun; take out the phone," Daniel Sir said, tapping his finger on the desk with authority, a playful glint in his eyes as he demanded their phones, the light-hearted atmosphere still lingering around them.

Licking her lips, Amaya pulled out her phone, the screen glowing in the dim light as she handed it over to Daniel Sir, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "We only brought mine today," she said, a playful lilt in her voice. Daniel Sir shook his head, a warm smile creeping across his face, his eyes twinkling with understanding. "Oh, I know you all have your phones with you," he replied, his tone teasing yet authoritative.

Sophia, with a dramatic flair, stood up from her seat, her posture confident as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I haven't brought mine but I don't mind being checked by a dashing sir," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, a sly grin spreading across her face. Daniel Sir narrowed his eyes, a mix of amusement and mock sternness playing on his features, before he shook his head, clearly trying to suppress a smile.

Standing tall, he returned Amaya's phone, his expression shifting to one of seriousness as he warned, "Only two or three weeks left; let's keep the trouble to a minimum, alright?" The weight of his words hung in the air, a contrast to the lighthearted banter, and the room buzzed with a blend of laughter and anticipation, the tension between the playful and the serious palpable as everyone nodded their heads.